Florida Polytechnic University made its first academic hire Monday with the selection of a Massachusetts educator with extensive global experience to serve as its provost.

By MARY TOOTHMANTHE LEDGER

LAKELAND | Florida Polytechnic University made its first academic hire Monday with the selection of a Massachusetts educator with extensive global experience to serve as its provost.

A selection committee spoke with four candidates for the interim job of vice president of academic affairs before deciding upon Ghazi Darkazalli of Bedford, Mass.

"I am really pleased with the selection," said committee member Don Wilson, a lawyer from Homeland. "He had incredible knowledge and experience, and he has good energy."

One candidate, Peter French of Lakewood Ranch, already had made another commitment and pulled his name from consideration. But he came to Orlando anyway and shared his ideas about the polytechnic.

Darkazalli was the first candidate interviewed in a meeting room at the Hyatt Regency Orlando Airport on Monday morning. He most recently served as president and CEO of Marian Court College in Swampscott, Mass., a private college sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy.

He has a doctorate in mechanical engineering from the University of Massachusetts in Amherst and extensive global consulting affiliations. He said he is available to get to work very soon and has no problem with working part- time initially.

Asked about hiring professors at the university when tenure is unlikely to be offered he said he prefers that. Tenure, he said, is not the key to hiring a talented group of profes-sors.

"It's what you have to offer," he said.

Wilson said Darkazalli has a rare blend of experience in the business world and with academics.

"He is going to be invaluable," Wilson said. "He's got a business background in the STEM areas, and has had some very successful business ventures, as well as the academic background."

The under-construction university currently has a board and a handful of employees, including Parker, but this position marks the first academic hire.

"He came across as a self-starter, prepared to work with an institution, he is prepared to roll up his sleeves," said Parker. "He has ideas about how to distinguish the university."

He is flexible and ready to get on with the start-up, Parker said. "He understands the urgency of getting this going."

The hire is a milestone for the fledgling university.

"It's a big deal," Parker said. "I am pleased with it."

The details of his compensation will be worked out soon in the form of a contract, Parker said.

The selection of an interim provost was of particular significance because Florida Poly will be seeking accreditation as a start-up university.

Chairman Robert Gidel has said the new university will seek to organize a curriculum program, faculty and governance structure to be implemented as soon as it is practical, with the goal of accreditation by the end of 2016.